For the tattooing part, I got involved because my cousin does. He gave me my first tattoo, that's how I got fascinated.
How do you start? Who was the first victim?
Channon: Obviously you start to draw first. After that you try tattooing on fake skin. Once you've mastered that, you'll start on people, which in my case didn't went like that haha. I believe that Nicky van der Veen and Isaac Lesser came to my home to chill and watch me practice on tattooing, when they decided to get one for real! They both got a "smiley". My hands where shaking as hell!
Do you have a certain place where people can come visit or do you travel most of the time?
Channon: I do, It's in Rotterdam. But I've decided to start tattooing on the road for extra. Which you've probably might have seen already.
You have tattooed quite a few BMX riders already. Can you give us some names?
Channon: Nicky van der Veen, Isaac Lesser, Jack Clark, Robin Smith, Mike Askari, Panos Manaras, Declan Brooks to name a few. I'll be tattooing Jack Watts, Tobias Freigang, William Gleizal (Fise organizer) and Roderik from Red Bull and probably FTL lads anytime soon. With more to come.
Do people generally have an idea of what they want to get?
Channon: Most people do, but also a few who want me to tell them what to get. That isn't the way. I just tell them to take their time.
Do most people show up with designs/artwork for you to work with?
Channon: Most people do, but it isn't always great. In all cases I work for a perfect design first. If we both agree on the design I did, then we'll make an appointment to start tattooing.
Who do you admire in the tattoo world?
Channon: "Tand tattooz" Insane portrait skills with his own twist!
Do you like to go "freestyle" on tattoos or do you always prepare everything to be exactly what the customer wants?
Channon: I'd like to prepare. In some cases I improvise.
Can you see yourself show up at events and stuck at the hotel room doing tattoos?
Channon: I recently started to do that. My first hotel experience was at Fise Marseille with Declan and Jack. From now on I will take my gear to every travel I go.
Tattoos are for life. What's the weirdest tattoo you have done so far?
Channon: Can't think of the weirdest, but the funniest was definitely the one from Declan Brooks haha. He got "BMX" tattooed on his arse! Have a look out for the tattoo me and Catfish will do at Fise Montpellier.
Where can people find you when they're looking to get a tattoo from you?
Channon: Hit me up on facebook! https://www.facebook.com/c.c.balorian?ref=tn_tnmn
Do yo have a special person that you would like to give a tattoo to?
Channon: It would be an honor to give my homie Kevin Peraza his first tattoo when he's ready! Haha
Thanks to: All people who believed in me as a tattooist. It's not easy to learn all this stuff. Still learning. Thanks to Bart de Jong for this interview.